Increase in smuggling of ketum leaves detected - EAIC

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has detected an increase in the smuggling of ketum leaves following flaws in the enforcement authority's monitoring as well as current high demands and costly prices.

EAIC chairman Datuk Yaacob Md Sam said from their observation of footage from more than 100 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras owned by the National Security Council (MKN), especially at the Malaysia-Thailand border in Padang Besar, Perlis, ketum leaves were easily smuggled without strict supervision from enforcement staff.

"The sale of ketum leaves has become rampant at the border due to its high demand from neighbouring countries, particularly Thailand, for ketum leaves that are sold at RM1 per piece. Just imagine the profit they get from 10kg of ketum sold. This was based on EAIC's observation through the CCTVs at the Thailand border from early this year until May," he told Bernama.

According to Yaacob, based on the footage, sacks of ketum were dispatched to Thailand just by throwing them across the border's fence, although with enforcement officers on guard.

As such, he said, EIAC would present a policy paper on the reinforcement of the integrity of enforcement officers on guard at the country's border to the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, by May 30.

Yaacob said the policy paper presented was based on surveillance on the security level at the country's borders, including Perlis, Kedah and Kelantan as well as the waterway in Sabah and Johor.

Among the suggestions that will be tabled include improvements in monitoring with the installation of CCTVs and floodlights as well as further increasing the height of walls and fences to avoid rapid intrusion from smuggling activities.

He said the enforcement of punishment and fines had failed to deter ketum leave traders from indulging in the business as the profit gained, namely between RM500,000 and RM1 million, exceeded the fine and punishment meted.

Ketum leaf traders are charged under Section 30(3) of the Poison Act 1952 which carries a maximum jail term of four years, or a fine of RM10,000, or both upon conviction.

-- BERNAMA